A new look UT Martin Skyhawks baseball to open the season on the road against the Florida A&M Rattlers on Feb. 14, 2025 at 4 p.m.
The Skyhawks opening day roster will include 20 new names as the team takes the field. In addition, the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC)Â has named junior utility man TJ Grines as the player to watch this season. The versatile Grines transferred from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, where he had a batting average of .381 and a slugging percentage of .500.
Last season, the Skyhawks finished 12-15 in the OVC while going 21-35 on the season under Jenkins. The Skyhawks will be without their top six from last season.
Returning players for the Skyhawks include infielder Blaze Bell. The redshirt senior from Murfreesboro, Tennessee had a batting average of .261 with an OPS of .750 to go along with six home runs in 53 games played in 2024. A former All-Freshman(2022) and All-OVC second team(2023), Bell provides some consistency at first base while giving the Skyhawks some offensive firepower with his designated hitter experience.
Also returning is shortstop/left fielder Jalen Fithian. The senior from Bartlett, Tennessee had a batting average of .297 with an OPS of .768 to go along with five home runs in 52 games played in 2024. Fithian comes to the Skyhawks by way of Jackson State community college where he recorded a .417 batting average, a .698 on base percentage and five home runs.
The Skyhawks will have to replace senior pitcher Tristan Walton after finishing his last season as the top pitcher in the OVC. Walton recorded an OVC low 2.88 ERA with the second most innings pitched (93.2).
Junior Jeb Bartle is next in line to fill Walton’s shoes. The right-handed pitcher from Cullman, Ala was third in the rotation for the Skyhawks in 2024; recording a 6.57 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP.
The Skyhawks will look to their veterans to lead the way as they transition into a primarily new roster for 2025.
Head coach Ryan Jenkins, in his 8th season with UT Martin, will not only open the season with a revamped roster, but also with additions made three to the coaching staff. Those names include Kenny Dupont, BJ Martin, and Zac Rice. Dupont served as a scout for the Baltimore Orioles from 1992-2010.
After wrapping up a four game series against the Rattlers, the Skyhawks travel to Carbondale on Feb. 18 for one game against the SIU Salukis.
After that game the Skyhawks return to Martin for the home opener against Murray State on Feb. 19, at 3 p.m.. This will be the first official game played on the newly renovated Skyhawk baseball field.
